BTI is a national research institute funded and managed by Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research. "VeriStem will benefit the life sciences industry by removing barriers to clinical and commercial development of some of the most promising forms of future stem cell therapies. For example, (one barrier is that) human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell-based therapies must pass regulatory agency scrutiny surrounding the tumorigenic potential of residual undifferentiated cells," explains Dr Wang, who is now VeriStem's chief operating officer.

The company was invited by the US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research to a seminar on the potential of its products in addressing tumor formation by undifferentiated stem cells. The center is responsible for approving regulated stem cell therapies for clinical use and commercial licensure. "With an understanding of the regulatory path forward, the company has devised commercialization and product development plans for its technologies targeting the therapeutic sector," says Mr Moore, president of the company.

VeriStem is also in discussions with potential development partners who may help accelerate commercial introduction, application, and marketing of its products. Under consideration is the potential pairing of one or more of VeriStem's products with existing technologies, products or platforms serving the bioprocessing field. The company is also planning to collaborate with researchers or partner with the industry to explore potential application of its proprietary biomaterials and technologies for destruction of cancer stem cells.

EMD Millipore is one of the collaborators. "We will continue to seek out partnerships with leading companies developing tools and bioprocesses for stem cell therapies, employing embryonic stem cells as well as the induced pluripotent stem cells," says Dr Wang, adding that VeriStem is also evaluating opportunities in the area of cancer stem cells. "We believe that the introduction of this technology early in the research and development phase for emerging stem cell products will allow them to advance more readily to clinical application," signs off Dr Wang, after mentioning that the BioSpectrum award is a "recognition of our company and the potential value of our technology".